While most toasts are for the bride and groom, may also be celebrated. The newlyweds may toast their bridesmaids and groomsmen, as well as their families, friends and guests. Make a toast sweet and short, try to include something personal, and consider throwing in a famous quote that will make those in attendance smile and or laugh.

Though plenty of people can pull o hosting a wedding on their own, especially with lots of DIY projects, almost every wedding will require hiring professionals.

Luckily, the area is chalk full of top notch wedding industry professionals that are here to serve the booming destination wedding market! There are professionals for every budget, style and personality.

Who’s invited to the wedding? Who isn’t? Here are common-sense ways to get your guest list under control.

One of the biggest decisions in planning your wedding is the guest list. The size of your wedding can affect so many other aspects of your big day. If you are planning a large wedding, you’ll need a venue that can accommodate many people, while if you’re hosting a smaller gathering, you’ll want to find a more intimate space. Your guest list will also need to work with your budget — obviously, the more people you invite, the higher the cost.

Every wedding guest secretly hopes for amazing food. Planning a standout menu is easier than you think.

Trust us. The one component you won’t want to skimp on at your wedding is the food. Aside from the music (which often translated to “how the party was”) and how the bride looked, the food is one of the most talked about parts of a wedding. Ever been to a wedding with bad food? We have: rubbery chicken and cold mashed potatoes. Don’t let that be the menu on your big day.

Go over-the-top with mounds of arrangements in opulent vases or go for an understated look with simple blooms in mason jars. Here are a few tips to help you pick the best blossoms for your big day.

SHOP IN SEASON

Though it’s possible to get any flower at any time of year, your costs will skyrocket if you select flowers that are not in season. Do your homework. Know what will be in bloom when you are getting married and go with those options for your centerpieces, boutonnieres, bouquets, petals for the flower girl and any altar decorations. On average, flowers usually make up about 5 percent to 12 percent of a bride’s overall wedding budget.

Wedding gown shopping can be overwhelming. Know your body type and style preference before you begin the search.

CHOOSING YOUR BRIDAL GOWN

On the day of your wedding, all eyes are on you. You’ll want to look and feel your best, which means finding the dress that fits both your style and your personality. But how to find “The Dress” out of the millions of beautiful wedding dresses out there?

The ceremony is perhaps the most important part of your wedding. Make sure it’s both memorable and official.

Before you can walk down the aisle, you need to make sure you’ve filled out all the forms — dotting your “I”s and crossing your “T”s. The ceremony isn’t just a beautiful moment between two people in love; it’s a binding moment in the eyes of both the local government and, depending on your personal preference, your house of worship, and there are several things you need to do before you say “I do.”

Marrying the love of your life is a dream come true. But in all the fun of dreaming up the details of your big day, it’s easy to get caught up in the fantasy — and it’s easy to forget all those magical little elements really add up. That’s why it’s important to be realistic about your budget. What exactly does a wedding cost here in the Lowcountry? Here are some numbers that may bring you to reality.

Create more excitement and buzz around your wedding with photos, videos and other digital tools.

The band or DJ will stop playing, the cake and food will be eaten, the flowers will sadly die. How will you make your memories of this day last? Turn to your photos and videos. This area is home to many fantastic photographers to fit any budget — from students to celebrity photographers who have retired to the Lowcountry.

She fell in love with Hilton Head Island in the summer of 2008 when she came to visit her then boyfriend, Mike. His passion, genuine interest and respect for the natural beauty of the area were evident – to the point of being contagious, says Jill.

“Whether we were riding bikes on the beach (which I personally love because you are not allowed to ride bikes on the beach in New Jersey where my family vacations!), gawking at the wild armadillos of Pickney Island, or sharing a cocktail at Coco’s on the Beach – we were always having fun.

All of these factors draw many highly talented wedding professionals to the area, but with so many fabulous vendors and venues to choose from, how do you know where to start?

The 2016 Bridal Guide was created to help you navigate the complicated process, from the engagement ring all the way through the honeymoon. We feel it is the one thing you can’t live without while planning your perfect Lowcountry wedding.